Newman’s community spirit has ensured the tragic deaths of four police officers in a plane crash 18 years ago will not be forgotten.
The Bloody Slow Cup was the highlight of a weekend of events in Newman in October, organised each year to commemorate the crash on Australia Day 2001 as a Cessna prepared to land at Newman Airport on returning from a call-out to Kiwirrkurra community, 800km away.
The weekend began with a remembrance ceremony at the crash site followed by a series of sporting events, including cricket, netball, touch football and soccer. The feature event is the rugby match between locals of Australia and New Zealand origin, dubbed the Bloody Slow Cup in a light-hearted nod to the Bledisloe Cup rugby matches between the two countries.
The Kiwis broke Aussie hearts again with a last gasp win in the big event.
Newman police officer in charge Sen. Sgt Jon Munday said it was another successful weekend and was well supported by local people and businesses.
“Sport is a great way to bring people together,” he said. “This is an important event for the police family, and one of the biggest weekends of the year for Newman.”
The Bloody Slow Cup is an annual fundraising event for WA Police Legacy, but there are plans to start directing some of the money raised into the local community.
